One to Watch: Color & Light from Austin, Texas

Rocking out to great live music is one of the true joys of living in Austin. Being inspired - now that's a treasure! When my friend Heather Bishop, a musician, poet, and writer who never ceases to inspire me, told me I should come hear the band Color & Light playing at Stubb's Barbecue (www.stubbsaustin.com), I knew I should listen. I was expecting a pretty good time; I wasn't expecting to be inspired.

Color & Light (www.myspace.com/colorandlightmusic), previously The Justin Brown Translation, is formed by front man Justin Brown, lead guitarist Jonathan Asher, bassist Travis Loudin, and drummer Sammy Foster, and followed opening act The Daze (www.myspace.com/aaronchrisevan). One song in, Addiction to be precise, and I could tell instantly why Austin Chronicle readers voted this group one of the Best New Bands in 2006- 2007. Their sound is truly their own. They command the stage not only with sensational playing and showmanship, but with antics that grab attention without stealing the momentum of the show itself.

Translation's Transition

There's an excellent article by Juan Zeleda, called "The Magic of Live Music" (which you can find here: http://blog.songpull.com/?p=101) in which he discusses how fragile your carefully crafted songs become in the presence of the live audience. What was a particular type of song in the studio suddenly takes on a life of its own on the stage, and once it does, there's no turning back. The softer, coffee shop singer/songwriter project that started two and half years ago known as "The Justin Brown Translation", became more rock & roll on stage. As the harder sound evolved, calling on Travis Loudin's punk strengths and Jonathan Asher's hard rock inclinations, Justin said there was no reason to turn back. The collaboration was working too well to ignore. And they were having way too much fun at it!

One night, after Antone's had left the word "Translation" off the bill, and only "Justin Brown" was on the venue, Justin said, "We knew that was it. That wasn't right. It was time for change." The show after they performed at the Hi-Lo during SXSW 2007, they became Color & Light.

The Interview

I got to speak with the band before the show about their interests and influences, and got some background on the guys and their gear.

Mari: Any plans to develop more of a web presence? Other than the Myspace page, the band also has a webpage at www.colorandlightmusic.com. Currently there's not much on it but a redirect to the Myspace page, any plans to develop it?
Justin: The website is under construction and will have new content on it soon. Meanwhile it points to the Myspace page at http://www.myspace.com.colorandlightmusic.

Mari: Where can fans get your music right now?
Justin: At the shows of course. And at Waterloo records first week of August.

Mari: Any plans for another release?
Justin: We'll be recording again in September and that recording will be much more reflective if that sort of constant rock incline we've been on.

What's Coming for Color & Light?
The band recorded, and will soon release a promotional DVD. It was shot entirely in High Definition.
Justin Brown collaborated with MC Overlord in his new CD, Last Call, due out in October, on the track called "I'm Good Now." The band is also slated to perform at MC Overlord's CD release party. Color & Light may also have another track on Last Call, which is still in development.

We briefly discussed our mutual admiration for MC Overlord. Justin said that he's learned so much about stage presence from him and that does show on the stage. Justin takes command of the space and works the crowd, interacting with people and pulling them into show.

What are you guys listening to right now? (Which I tried to get answered one at a time, but instead got rather in unison which I scribbled down as fast as I could.)

The Mars Volta
Used
Radiohead
John Mayor Live CD Any Given Thursday DVD

Most influential bands when it comes to the music you play:
Led Zepplen
(Early) U2
Audioslave
The Mars Volta

What are you reading these days?
Justin:
David Sedaris
Dave Eggers
C.S. Lewis
and the Uncensored History of the Freemasons
Travis: The Irresistible Revolution: Living as an Ordinary Radical by Shane Claiborne and A Long Way Gone: Memoirs of a Boy Soldier by Ishmael Beah
Sam: Broken Music by Sting (The Autobiography of Sting)
Jonathan: While Jonathan simply acknowledged that he had been very, very busy - we could both agree that Harry Potter novels do rock...

About their gear:

Justin plays Fender guitars exclusively and currently uses a Lonestar Strat as his primary guitar and his Standard Telecaster as his secondary. Both guitars have been outfitted with Graphtech String saver saddles and Sperzel Graduated locking tuners. The band as a whole uses only monster cables which are guaranteed for life. Justin recently obtained and fell in love with his Vox AC-30 custom classic amp. Both Jonathan and Justin use DR strings exclusively and Justin prefers tight fit 11's on his guitars. As vocals go Justin uses a Shure SM-58 and, again, monster cables.

Jonathan Asher currently plays all Gibson guitars. His primary is a Les Paul Custom. His secondary is a Flying V Faded and both guitars are fitted with locking tuners.

According to Justin, Travis Loudin's pride and joy is his Bergantino Cabinet. He gets amazing tone out of it and uses an array of effects pedals and an Ampeg amplifier. He recently purchased and outfitted a Schecter 5 string bass.

The Copernicus EP / Color & Light CD Review
Copernicus certainly has one of the most ear-worm worthy choruses on the CD. You will be humming this later. The song speaks to what I admire most about this band's music and it's members, and it never falls into the trap of feeling clichéd or trite.

Excerpted lyrics to Copernicus:
now you see it all so clear
and you want the world to hear but no
they close their minds
and waste some time
and turn on you
but stay strong and true
we are Copernicus
they persecute us for what they one day will know is right
we are Copernicus
we know the truth and
so we'll stand up and we'll fight

"Hear Me" starts out as the the softest track on the CD, melodic but still maintaining strong electric rock structure. Then about 3 minutes in, Jonathan Asher really shows what he's got, and starts picking up momentum. About a minute later the guitar work just tears it up and builds to a fantastic crescendo.

Hear Me
In my selfish pride
I turned cold as stone
Told you to leave me here
I'd do it on my own
Don't need anything
From anyone
Not even you

"Go" has a quick pace and you simply cannot sit still while this is playing. The guitars come together beautifully between all parties on this one and they build to a bold, uplifting finish.

Excerpted yrics to "Go"

Some days may come when all you see is dark skies,
But open up your eyes.
With every breath you breathe,
Try your best to see,
Even bad days can be beautiful.
Go - play your part, don't let life break your heart, you'll be fine, Go - live your life. It's gonna be alright. Just give it time
It's gonna be alright.

Heaven on Earth
Intense, in your face rhythm coupled with sensual vocals - this song always gets the crowds going. The CD doesn't quite do the live experience justice, but it is good! Drummer Sammy Foster, displays intensity far beyond his years. Sammy really shows his stamina on Heaven on Earth which has a prominent drum segment. So far the only down side of Heaven on Earth is getting the drum segment out of your head.

Heaven on Earth
You and I
Standing face to face
When I'm in your arms
Heaven's a real place
You and I
Standing face to face
When I'm in your arms
Heaven's a real place
You lift me up so high
That I can't touch the ground
There's no else around just clouds
You lift me up so high
That I can't touch the ground
There's no else around just clouds
You are heaven on Earth
But I can't have you now
You're not mine anyhow

All of the songs showcase Justin's dynamic vocals, but Never Far Enough really brings out his range. When I have the album on my player, this is the song I come back to again and again. My favorite line on the album is also in that song, "Every bridge you cross you've got to burn." Is it just me or would this song really be fantastic as the opening of the show "Supernatural?" Maybe it's just me.

Possibly the best surprise is the ending track which isn't listed and comes several after several minutes of silence past the ending of "Never Far Enough." If you can skip through the silence to about 10:35 then do so, if not, just hang on, it's worth the wait. Here's a tiny piece of the lyrics:

Know My Name:

So now you see me in these lights
You know you didn't treat me right
Now you're sorry that you ever let me go
But I ain't got no time for you
And honey you should know
And I will tell you how it's gonna be
And what you mean to me
'Cause I don't play no games
And I'm tellin' you what I'm gonna do
And who I'll be to you
And you won't forget my name

Sources:
Austinist January 11, 2008: http://austinist.com/2008/01/11/austinist_show_94.php
Color & Light and the Space Cadet (June 11, 2007): http://www.sanangelolive.com/node/863
Color & Light, The Soldier Thread; Jack's Patio Bar; 6/20: http://www.austinme.com/members/8/Blog_Live_Reviews.php
MP3 Artist: http://www.mp3.